Today I'm going to take a look at Mizuno Japan's all new 2010 Stability Style Golf Shoe 45KM0189. The original Stability Style shoe from 2008 was perhaps one of the best golf shoes ever made in Japan and that position was well reflected as it was the best selling golf shoe for both 2008 and 2009. I'm an owner of the 2008 model and today I received a new 2010 model to check out side by side with the original.

Stability Style = Premium Comfort + Performance

Mizuno has long been know to make tour level, high performance shoes with maximum comfort. The Stability Style line as well as they Light Style, Performance R and MP Tour shoes are all made to EEE (3E) width and because of this fit with lots of room. It is a common misconception on the internet that Japanese brand shoes fit smaller than their American counterparts. As many people have learned, it is in fact the other way around. Because of the extra width in Mizuno shoes, they can fit anywhere from half a size to a full size larger depending on the brand it is compared with. I wore Nike's back in Canada, a size 8US which translates to between a 25.5cm and 26cm Japan. In Japan I had to step down to a 25cm or US size 7 because of the extra width. Make no mistake though this extra width is very comfortable and Mizuno has several technologies to ensure a snug fit.

New updated designs...

There is no doubt that both models of the Stability Style shoe are indeed very good looking and to some very similar looking. Mizuno kept a similar look while improving certain shared technologies in the shoe and altering the colors. I'll go over some of the differences as well as similarities and advantages of the shoe design. Both shoes feature a similar spike pattern aligned on an angle based on a golfers stance towards the target. They spikes are slightly angled to account for the body turn. I actually have a picture of the right shoes here but should have added the left shoes as well because the orientation of the spikes are different. Unfortunately the spike positioning is made to benefit the right handed golfer once again showing how small the left handed population is in Japan. Around the outer sole edge of the new 2010 shoe on the left, you see the presence of more prortruding treads which adds to the already awesome grip power that the Stability Style shoe has.

Aggressive IG3 Spikes...

The new 2010 models uses a revised IG3 spike as opposed to the IG 2 spike in the 2008 model on the right. (the IG2 was also used in the Performance R). As you can see from the pictures below, the new IG3 spike is far more aggressive. These spikes like the IG3 and IG2 can be purchased and replaced. Both shoes do come with an IG spike wrench. IG spikes dig and hold very well in the ground, whether hard or soft and Mizuno shoes are known to be very stable because of this spike design.

Mizuno Wave sole...

A big part of the shoes comfort is the Mizuno Wave sole that is a part of most of Mizuno's high end shoes in one form or another. The Mizuno Wave sole is the heel part of the sole that not only produces stability and comfort during the swing but even just for walking around. During the swing, the Wave allows for key energy transfer from the ground up. As you can see from the sole images below, the 2010 model on the left has a larger gapped Wave sole, producing more spring for comfort and energy transfer. What this does also is bring the player's heel slightly higher than the 2008 model. This allows for the player to place his weight forward to the balls of his feet rather than sit back on his heels. I took a picture of the back of the shoes side by side and you can see that the 2010 model on the left is in fact taller than the 2008 model on the right. This design also provides more angle support and keeps the shoe snug.

Biolock + Arch Hammock...

A couple of other technologies really aid Mizuno's comfort in the Stability Line. The biolock shoe top outer shell is featured in both models which shapes and locks to the shape of your foot. The other is the insole. The old 2008 model had the LR Insole (I assume LR means Left Right?) which featured support for the inner arch of the foot. The new 2010 model on the left below has altered that design with the new LR2 Arch Hammock insole. The LR2 provides not only support to the inner arch of the foot but also the outer edge of the foot creating a hammock effect like a person lying in a hammock as the hammock wraps around the person from both sides.

New colors available now!

Both shoes feature a similar artificial outer layer which is waterproof. Mizuno tested the shoe by immersing it in 4cm of water for over 2 hours without water penetration. While I have not had a chance to go for a round yet with this shoe, wearing tells me it is as comfortable as the original and perhaps more stable with even more grip. I feel my weight naturally going to the balls of my feet. I just love they way they fit and grip. I can't wait to get out there for a round with these great looking shoes! The new 2010 Stability Style golf shoe from Mizuno is already out and available in White (used in this post), White/Navy and a cool Gun Metallic/Bronze. They are available in size 24cm to 28cm which is 6US to 10.5US (Sorry to those with bigger feet but manufacturers in Japan just don't make them so big edit: though apparently 29cm or 11.5US is a special order). Check them out here in the pro shop! If you need help with sizing, please feel free to contact us for advice.

Here are more pics!